DoubleTree Launches Wine, Small Plates Lounge

Just as wine lounge Vino Volo gets set to introduce its small plates menu on Bethesda Row, the DoubleTree Bethesda hotel is upping its game with a similar concept.

Craig Luparello, DoubleTree’s food and beverage director, says to look for the new Share Wine Lounge and Small Plate Bistro to open tomorrow in the first-floor restaurant of the hotel at 8120 Wisconsin Ave.

The concept change incorporates three dining categories: home comforts, change of pace and pushing the envelope and pairs wines with a new small plates menu.

It’s similar to Vino Volo, the popular airport wine lounge that is getting set to debut its first standalone location on Woodmont Avenue. Vino Volo is hosting a sneak preview tasting and reception on Thursday.

Luparello said he hasn’t heard much about Vino Volo, but he has talked to the crew behind the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, which is targeting a January 2013 opening in the historic Bethesda Theatre (7719 Wisconsin Ave.).

“It just brings more action to our area,” Luparello said.

Share Wine Lounge will be doing daily specials on its Facebook page. More from DoubleTree’s prepared release:

Share is communal, where the breaking of bread is strongly encouraged.

Our often changing small plates menu and well chosen wine list creates sensible pairings and allows our talented chefs to craft daily blackboard specials. Diners seeking a change of pace from the ordinary menu and self identify as foodies are usually drawn to chef driven specials.

A hand scraped wood communal table is the center piece of the chef’s tasting room, aka anti-Bored room. The anti-Bored room is perfect for rehearsal dinners, birthday celebrations or after work office parties. Within this format, the chef will push the envelope and then some. So all with an open mind and empty stomach are invited to explore current food trends and techniques.